Beached finback whale in New York was malnourished

The massive finback whale that washed up on the beach at Breezy Point, New York, on Wednesday, died on Thursday. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

Digital Journal reported the 18-meter long whale was emaciated when it was discovered on the beach. Although rescuers made valiant attempts to keep the sea mammal alive they expected it would not survive.

Robert DiGiovanni, director of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, said on Thursday: "We are on the scene and the whale has passed."

Experts revealed there was no evidence of human-caused injury following a necropsy of the whale, the New York Times reported. However, there was no food found inside the emaciated whale's stomach.

The cause of death remains unknown until tissue samples have been analysed. The deceased whale was a male with the age not yet determined.